In Kocaeli, in north-western Turkey, a Turkish cat named “Prens” (Prince), who was seriously injured in a dog attack and managed to survive thanks to the help of several shopkeepers, has become a fixture and the centre of attention at the İzmit Bazaar. Weighing 10 kilos and full of charm, Prens wakes up every morning in the handbag shop that has become his home, and then spends his days wandering through the shops and stalls of the bazaar, visiting other traders and spreading affection throughout the place.
Around seven years ago, Prens suffered serious injuries in an attack by stray dogs; he managed to survive after undergoing several successful operations, and was taken in by Fikret Uslu, the owner of a handbag shop in the İzmit Bazaar. Now fully recovered, Prens spends his days at Uslu’s shop and visiting other stalls in the bazaar, wearing a large collar with the letter “P” and being the centre of attention for both traders and customers alike. Now a true treasure cared for by all the bazaar vendors, at the age of 10 Prens is also a star among those who visit the place, and many visitors seek him out to take a selfie with him.
Speaking to the Turkish news agency İHA, Fikret Uslu explained that he met the cat by chance seven years ago, in front of his shop, and that after calling him over, the animal never left his side again. “Seven years ago, someone else was looking after Prens, but they changed jobs and left. One day I saw him and called out to him from in front of my shop: ‘Prens!’. And that call was enough. He came towards me and never left. Before he came to live with me, Prens was attacked by some dogs; he had a serious wound under his belly. Following that attack, he underwent several major operations. Afterwards, God gave him a new lease of life and granted him to us. Since that day, he hasn’t left our doorstep. Even when he does go off, he heads to the shop next door but then comes back,” said the shopkeeper.
“Prens has become another member of our shop”
Uslu says the cat has become a very important part of their lives at the bazaar: “Prens doesn’t ask much of us. He sleeps in our shop. When we close at night, everything is ready for him: his food, his water and his litter tray. He rests at night, and when we open the shutters in the morning, the cat starts the day with us. He has become another member of our handbag shop.”
The shopkeeper says that Prens has also formed close bonds with other traders in the bazaar: “He has many admirers. There are numerous sellers and customers who look after him. I’ve never seen anyone shoo him away; everyone looks at him fondly. A trader from another shop made his collar. In the morning he eats with me, then goes to the cheese shop to eat, and afterwards to the butcher’s to eat there too. He does this round every day; he wants his own freedom too… But he always comes back and waits at our door.”
Uslu admits that he has grown so fond of the cat that he feels worried when he doesn’t see him in the morning: “If Prens doesn’t come out from under the shutter a minute after I open it, I get very worried and think: ‘Has something happened to him?’ For me, the love I feel for him is unique. It’s like the love you have for a child,” he said.
“This cat has brought us energy and prosperity”
Prens has become so famous at the İzmit Bazaar that some people even change their route just to pass through the bazaar and see the cat: “Everyone on this street knows our cat. Sometimes I ask other shopkeepers: ‘What does Prens do when he comes to your shop?’. And they reply: ‘He doesn’t come to eat, he just sits there. It’s as if he brings us blessings’. I’ve never received any complaints about him. Further up is Cumhuriyet Park, a very busy spot where several buses pass through. The other day a woman told me: ‘I was going to catch the bus there… But then, I remembered Prens; I came all the way to the bazaar to see him and leave him some food’.”
Uslu, who also has two cats at home, took the opportunity to appeal to people to look after stray animals: “These creatures don’t ask for much. All we have to do is put a bowl of food and another of water by our door. I also have two cats at home: the energy in our home changed when they arrived; it became more positive. Prens has also brought energy and prosperity to our shop in the İzmit Bazaar. He’s a cat who catches the eye of everyone who comes into the shop. Sometimes as many as 15 people gather to see him at the door; they give him affection, take photos of him, and some even bring him food… These animals just want love and a bowl of food. They ask for nothing more,” he concluded.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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